松江城堀川めぐり　Matsue Castle Horikawa Sightseeing Boat

国宝・松江城がある島根県松江市は「水の都」と呼ばれるほど、水とともにある町並みが美しい城下町です。城を囲む堀もその一つ。築城（1611年）と同時に造られた堀の一部が、城とともに現存する城下町は全国でも貴重な存在。この堀を小船でめぐる「堀川めぐり」は水の都・松江の風情を体感できます。
「堀川めぐり」の発着場は松江城周辺に3カ所あり、途中下船もできるので、城下町の見どころを効率よく観光したい人にもおすすめです。
城下町をぐるっと一周するコースの全長は約3.7km、遊覧時間は一周約50分です。
今回はこのコースに乗船しました。あいにくの雨でしたが、なかなか楽しい堀川めぐりでした。

2021年8月撮影

Matsue retains a canal system and townscape with 400-year-old character, and this 50-minute boat tour is the quintessential way to see them. The boatmen will tell you about the local history and culture while you enjoy the natural scenery that changes with the seasons.

Matsue Castle was completed in 1611, with the fresh, new castle town built around it. It is now one of only twelve remaining original castles throughout Japan, and the tower is a National Treasure. Even rarer, the canals built throughout the town to protect the castle also remain largely unchanged from when they were first constructed over 400 years ago. Although they have been narrowed in some areas, they still follow a centuries-old course along the old stone walls of the castle and preserved Edo period street Shiomi Nawate, through the quiet forest full of birds and aquatic creatures, and along many of the modern features of the city center.

The tour is open all year long with boats departing roughly every 15 minutes from three convenient locations surrounding the castle. You will remove your shoes and relax on board, enjoying the cool breeze in summer or the warm kotatsu (heated blanket) in winter. The roof provides shelter from the rain and sun, but watch your head! One of the characteristic features of the Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is that the roof lowers to fit under a few of the 17 bridges around the course.